Boost protein without the toxicity

Lallemand Animal Nutrition has been appointed the Australian distributor of a novel feed additive that provides a highly concentrated source of nonprotein nitrogen while reducing the risk of urea toxicity.

An extrusion of maize starch, urea and sulphur, Amireia 200S contains 200% protein, 22% total dietary nitrogen and 3.2% sulphur.

Lallemand’s Technical Manager – Ruminants, Matt Bekker, says Amireia 200S delivers a complete, efficient and cost-effective source of non-protein nitrogen with the benefit of a safe, slow-release form of nitrogen in the rumen.

“Providing cattle with an additional source of nitrogen to boost rumen function, growth rates and milk production has often been a trade-off between cost and safety,” he says.

“Protein-based sources of nitrogen are typically expensive, while non-protein nitrogen sources, such as urea, can cause toxicity if accidentally consumed at high levels.

“Most beef producers are aware of the potential dangers of urea toxicity.

“The onset of poisoning is acute and rapid, with symptoms including muscle tremors, abdominal pain, incoordination, respiratory distress, recumbency and often death.”

Amireia 200S is manufactured by Amireia Pajoara, a Brazilian company that pioneered the research, development and commercialisation of ‘starea’ (i.e. gelatinised starch and urea) for use in livestock nutrition.

Its patented formulation technology ‘traps’ nitrogen and sulphur in the carbon chain of the maize starch, effectively providing a slow-release mechanism.

“Amireia 200S slowly degrades in the rumen over 8 hours,” Matt says.

“This slow release of readily available energy, nitrogen and sulphur optimises the growth of beneficial microbial species, and in turn, volatile fatty acids required for growth and milk production.

“This increases the efficiency of metabolism and reduces the amount of waste ammonia or urea released to the environment.”

Studies have shown that Amireia 200S has no negative impact on toxicity, nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal pH, ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration, volatile fatty acids or blood parameters when consumed at up to 80 g/day per 100 kg bodyweight.

Matt says Amireia 200S has great potential for use in the northern beef industry.

“Tropical pastures can sustain high levels of livestock production during the wet season but their nutritional value declines rapidly after a relatively short growing period,” he says.

“Protein and energy levels quickly fall beneath minimum requirements, leading to liveweight and body condition losses.

“The drying pastures become more fibrous as they mature, further reducing digestibility and therefore feed intake.

“In many cases, cattle become physically full before they can consume sufficient levels of nutrients.”

Most beef producers provide some type of supplementary feed, such as dry licks, molasses or blocks, to their cattle to address these nutritional deficiencies at different times of the year.

Matt says Amireia 200S can be easily added to dry licks or blocks.

“The form is a moderate to fine grained particle that mixes readily with other feed ingredients and is readily accepted by livestock, even at high inclusion rates,” he says.

Amireia 200S can also be used as an alternative protein source in intensive livestock rations such as dairy, intensive beef and sheep rations where crude protein can be optimised while saving space in the ration formulation

“We believe Amireia 200S will be a cost effective replacement for many other protein sources, which will help producers to reduce their feed costs without any impact in livestock performance,” Matt says.

Amireia 200S is packed in sturdy 25 kg bags that provide a two-year storage life.

Matt Bekker has more than 35 years’ experience in extensive and intensive livestock production,
including a comprehensive background in dairy, rangeland beef and feedlot management. Matt
served as the Asia Pacific Technical Services Director with a leading global animal nutrition group, gaining valuable experience across Asia and Oceania before taking his current role. He joined Lallemand Animal Nutrition in 2023 as the lead for the company’s growing portfolio of yeast and bacterial probiotics used in
ruminant animals. Matt serves on the Australian Association of Ruminant Nutrition committee
and is the current Federal President of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences. He holds a Masters degree in Agriculture from the University of New England and is the author of several peer-reviewed scientific papers.